2025 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper releases new Top 10 QB rankings ahead of Week 9 of college football

All eyes have been on the quarterbacks this college football season to not only see who can lead the nation’s top teams to victories, but to also see who could potentially lead an NFL franchise as a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

This season’s quarterback class has not been as touted compared to earlier this year when six signal-callers were selected within the first 12 picks of the 2024 draft. But nonetheless, this year has plenty of talented passers with the potential to translate their game to the next level.

With that in mind, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper updated his rankings of the Top 10 quarterbacks for the 2025 NFL Draft. The list also tracks how the quarterbacks have moved compared to last week and can be seen below.

1. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Colorado quarterback remains at the top of Kiper’s rankings once again after leading the Buffaloes to an impressive 34-7 win over Arizona. Throwing for 250 yards and two touchdowns a uncharacteristic two interceptions for the first time since 2022.

Sanders is the third-most-sacked quarterback in college football but has still found a way to remain productive. He’s led the Buffs to a 5-2 record behind his 2,268 passing yards (fifth in the FBS) and 21 total touchdowns this season.

2. Cam Ward, Miami

Cam Ward is regarded by most as the best quarterback in college football and is the current frontrunner at the position to win the Heisman Trophy. He put together another gem last weekend when he threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns in a shootout win over Louisville.

Ward currently leads the nation with 2,538 passing yards and 24 passing touchdowns this season. He’s done so with a must-see style of play and has led Miami to their first 7-0 start since 2013.

3. Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Milroe remains in Kiper’s top three despite Alabama taking their second loss of the season to Tennessee last weekend. A 24-17 defeat could have potentially been an Alabama win with a few more accurate throws from their quarterback.

Despite completing a season-low 55.6% of his passes against the Vols, Milroe is definitely a high-ceiling dual-threat quarterback prospect. Milroe has combined for 2,052 yards and 24 touchdowns between the air and the ground.

4. Carson Beck, Georgia (+1)

Carson Beck jumps up one spot in Kiper’s rankings after helping lead Georgia to a statement win over Texas on the road. Climbing up the list despite completing just 56.1% of his passes for just 175 yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Beck entered the season as the consensus top quarterback in the upcoming draft class, but his status has dropped since. But there’s still plenty of time for him to return to the top this season and with the Bulldogs likely to play in the postseason as well.

5. Quinn Ewers, Texas (-1)

On the flip side of Saturday’s marquee matchup, the Longhorns’ Quinn Ewers has dropped one spot. He hasn’t looked quite the same since missing time with an abdominal injury and even being benched for backup Arch Manning for two drives this weekend.

Ewers had a disappointing first half, constantly under duress by Georgia’s defensive front and throwing an interception. He cleaned things up to close the game where he threw for two touchdowns, and he remains one of the most talented passers in the class.

6. Drew Allar, Penn State

Allar has led Penn State to an undefeated start to the season and a No. 3 ranking in the AP Poll in his second season as a starter. Much improvement has been shown from last year with 1,492 passing yards and 14 total touchdowns this season.

Allar has the ideal build of an NFL quarterback at 6-foot-5, 238 pounds with a strong arm. He’ll be presented with an opportunity to boost his draft stock this weekend on the road in a hostile environment against Wisconsin.

7. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

After getting off to a hot start to the season, Jaxson Dart’s production has slowed some since opening up SEC play. But he’s still the nation’s third-leading passer with 2,384 yards through the air to go along with his 14 touchdown passes.

Dart and the Rebels had a Week 8 bye following a down-to-the-wire, overtime loss on the road against LSU. Ole Miss hosts Oklahoma this weekend in a must-win scenario to keep their postseason hopes alive following two SEC losses.

8. Kurtis Rourke, Indiana (NR)

A new addition found his way into Kiper’s rankings for the first time this season heading into Week 9: Ohio transfer and Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke.

Rourke has led the Hoosiers to an improbable 7-0 start and a No. 13 ranking under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti. He’s thrown for 1,941 yards and 15 touchdowns this season after spending five years in the MAC.

9. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (-1)

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier drops one spot as a result of Rourke’s entry into the top 10. But a signature performance and win on the road against Texas A&M this weekend could surely bump him up in the rankings.

Nussmeier has been the epitome of a gunslinger this season with a fearless style of play. He’s been the engine of the Tigers’ offense with 2,222 passing yards and an SEC-leading 18 touchdown passes this year.

10. Will Howard, Ohio State (-1)

Rourke also drops Buckeyes’ quarterback Will Howard to the No. 10 spot and bumps Kyle McCord from Syracuse out of the rankings. Howard also was idle last weekend due to a bye like two other quarterbacks on the list.

Howard’s late-game blunder in a loss to Oregon was well-documented the last time he stepped foot on the field. But in that same matchup, he also threw for a season-high 326 yards with three total touchdowns on an impressive 80% completion percentage.